MOUNTAIN LAKES, N.J., Aug. 14, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Impact Protective Equipment, the New Jersey-based shoulder pad innovator, announced today an exclusive agreement with Under Armour, the Baltimore-based performance innovator, to manufacture its football shoulder pads with Under Armour's ArmourGrip(r) performance fabric.
"We are extremely excited to bring Under Armour's expertise in performance fabric into our line of football shoulder pads," said Mark D. Monica, President and CEO of Impact Protective Equipment. "Under Armour is synonymous with performance, and the new ArmourGrip(r) fabric greatly enhances our shoulder pads, which in turn, will ultimately enhance player performance and safety."
The new shoulder pad was tested on two teams in the NFL during the 2006 season. It is now available to the public on Impact's website, and select sporting goods dealers throughout the world. The ArmourGrip(r) performance fabric will be used on Impact's Pro Model pad, its new Interscholastic Model pad designed for the high school and junior high school levels of play, and pad accessories such as neck rolls and rib protectors.
The ArmourGrip(r) fabric keeps the shoulder pad from shifting on the players' body during contact, wicks the perspiration away from the body and into the pad, and also produces a lighter-weight piece of equipment. Players will notice a significant increase in movement and mobility, and a significant decrease in shoulder pad weight.
"Performance is key to any athlete, and it is important for Under Armour to work with companies that have the same dedication and commitment to the athlete as we do," says Tim Dennis, Director of Licensing of Under Armour. "Impact has taken player protection and performance to the next level, and we're very pleased to play a role in the success of its unique and innovative design."
Many shoulder pad manufacturers still use the old method, invented more than 25 years ago, of using polyurethane foam and nylon to make pads. The combination of these two materials insulate the players' body, increases core body temperature during competition by not allowing heat to escape from under the shoulder pads, and decreases player performance.
About Impact Protective Equipment, LLC
Founded in 2002, Impact is the first football shoulder pad manufacturer to significantly improve the design in more than 25 years. The Impact design utilizes visco-elastic dry polymer foam developed by NASA to increase player protection from injury during contact, and a combination of breathable foams and materials to increase player performance through thermal regulation of the human body. The Company's products are sold worldwide and worn by NFL, NCAA, and High School football players. Impact headquarters is located in Mountain Lakes, NJ. For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.impactpads.com or contact Mark D. Monica at 973.263.1400.
About Under Armour, Inc.
Under Armour (NYSE:UA) is a leading developer, marketer, and distributor of branded performance apparel, footwear, and accessories. The brand's moisture-wicking synthetic fabrications are engineered in many different designs and styles for wear in nearly every climate to provide a performance alternative to traditional natural fiber products. The Company's products are sold worldwide and worn by athletes at all levels, from youth to professional, on playing field around the globe. The Under Armour global headquarters is in Baltimore, Maryland, with European headquarters in Amsterdam's Olympic Stadium, and additional offices in Denver, Hong Kong, Toronto, and Guangzhou, China. For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.underarmour.com or call Tim Dennis at 410.468.2512.